For the Month of April, we here at Spunky Monkeys celebrated Autism Awareness. The children went blue for this month. What is Autism I here you asking yourself, well according to Autism Speaks organisation “Autism spectrum disorder and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterised, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non – verbal communication and repetitive behaviours”
Autism affects both boys and girls; however it seems to go more undetected in girls. Boys are five times more like to be diagnosed with Autism than girls. Many girls go undiagnosed till later in life. Research into why this is the case has just started to become available and shows girls have developed better coping mechanism than their male counter parts, that’s why it is more challenging to have a girl diagnosed with autism.
Children with Autism learn best by seeing. These children find it challenging to listen and follow instruction, however if you show or use visual cards these children will be able to have success at following the instruction shown. Children with Autism find it hard to look people in the eyes and sometimes even though they are not looking at you they may still be listening to you and know that you are near them. Autistic children often didn’t like sensory play and are very sensitive to loud noises.
At Spunky Monkeys Early Learning Centre and Preschool, we provide an inclusive early learning centre where we help and support children with Autism, by using visuals and other sensory products to help them feel supported and accepted in our environment. As stated in the definition children suffer with autism to varying degrees and due to this, every child needs to be treated as an individual. Sue Larkey a well-known Autism specialist sums it when she writes “each and every child with Autism has their own personality interests and obsessions, fears and dislikes no two are the same.” Here at Spunky Monkeys Early Learning Centre and Preschool we pride ourselves on catering for all children’s individual differences be they big or small.
For more information or help and support about Autism please have a look at Sue Larkey’s website; www.suelarkey.com